MUSIC / TRAVEL SPECIAL.... TRAVELLING TO MUSIC FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

TRAVELLING TO MUSIC FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

Chasing the beats'

Young travellers across the globe are putting music festivals on their itineraries. A chance to watch top-notch musicians live, explore a new country, and make new friends is high on their agenda. We list a few of these new festivals to help you plan your musical vacation 

    Music festivals across the globe are becoming largerthan-life events, with fans from every corner of the world joining these high energy parties. Spread over days and boasting some of the world’s top international artistes, some of these fests have started attracting lakhs of tourists. Those returning from the recently concluded Tomorrowland and Pukkelpop in Belgium, Hurricane in Germany, and Download in UK are still buzzing from the manic excitement they witnessed. So it’s time you jazz up your staid tours. Plan in such a way that you can swoon to Rihanna and Justin Bieber in Singapore, enjoy global electronic music stalwarts Armin Van Buuren and Tiësto in the US, and catch alternate music sensations in Berlin.

Here are a few must-attend music fests, where you can have the groove of a lifetime.

Reading and Leeds Festivals, Reading and Leeds, UK, Aug 23–25:
Held in the towns of Leeds and Reading on the same day, these two festivals will have Green Day, Eminem and Biffy Clyro as the main attractions along with more than 100 top acts this year. One of the main attractions of the event is “bottling off’ where fans can force performers offstage — if they don’t meet their expectations — by throwing bottles and cans at them!
Creamfields, Daresbury, UK, Aug 23-25:
Swedish sensation Avicii will set the fest buzzing on August 23. The Prodigy are at the helm on August 24 while David Guetta and Tiësto wrap up the bash. Add Skrillex, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Laidback Luke along with many more electronica performers, and you have every dance music lover’s dream line-up.
Electric Zoo, Randall’s Island Park, New York, US, Aug 30–Sept 1:
First held in 2009, this festival is already a regular feature on the travel circuit of electronic dance music fanatics. The venue is one of the prettiest parks of New York. This year, performances by A-Track, Above and Beyond, Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, Avicii, Bassnectar, David Guetta, Steve Aoki and Tiësto are expected to attract over a lakh visitors. 1 World Music Berlin Festival, Germany, Sep 6–7:
The festival will take place in the open air at West Berlin’s famous Tempelhof Airport. Blur, Björk, Pet Shop Boys, White Lies, Ellie Goulding and John Talabot will grace the stage while The Prodigy, Justice and Boys Noize showcase their mixing prowess to a crowd of thousands.
Festival, Marina Barrage, Singapore, Sept 20–21:
The venue is an architectural marvel and a must-visit site. This two-day extravaganza coincides with F1 races. Pop vocalists Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Tom Jones, Korean band BigBang, rock group The Killers, and Irish singing stalwart Bob Geldof will be there to entertain visitors. Mixing maverick Moby, Snoop Lion, Infected Mushroom, rapper Taboo and a host of regional talents will unleash their magic at the festival.

Tomorrowworld, Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, US, Sept 27–29:
This one’s a massive affair with bigname artistes and one of the biggest turnouts. Laidback Luke, Steve Aoki and Yolanda Be Cool are headliners on September 27, Afrojack, Gareth Emery and Wolfpack are star attractions on the second day while Armin Van Buuren and David Guetta spin their music on the third and final day. There will be over 100 top music mixers in action. You need to be at least 21 years old to enter.

INDIAN MUSIC FESTS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
NH7 Weekender Pune Oct 18–20,

Bengaluru Nov 23–24,

Delhi Nov 30–Dec 1,

Kolkata Dec 14–15

SunBurn, Candolim Beach, Goa, Dec 27–29

Amin Ali TL130818